Ann Wedgeworth was a critically praised American actress who appeared in films, stage productions, and television programs. She was formerly known as Elizabeth Ann Wedgeworth, but she dropped her first name after graduating and moving to New York City to pursue a career in show business. Throughout her lengthy career, she has performed various outstanding roles, but she is best known for her appearances as Merleen Elldridge in “Evening Shade” and Lana Shields in “Three’s Company.” This multitalented actress made her cinematic debut in ‘Andy’ (1965) and thereafter performed in supporting roles in a number of films. For her roles in ‘Sweet Dreams’ (1985) and ‘Citizens Band,’ she received two nominations for the NSFC Award (1977). She also won the Tony Award for ‘Chapter Two’s’ Best Performance by a Featured Actress (1978). Ann was last seen in the 2006 film ‘The Hawk Is Dying’ alongside Paul Giamatti. This film was included at the renowned Sundance Film Festival. Both of her marriages produced two daughters, both of whom are also actors.
Youth and Early Life
Ann Wedgeworth was born in Abilene, Texas, on January 21, 1934, to Elizabeth and Cortus Wedgeworth. Her father was a classroom instructor.
She earned her high school diploma from Texas’s Highland Park School. She was a classmate of Jayne Mansfield at this school.
Ann dropped the name Elizabeth after graduating from the University of Texas in 1957. After multiple auditions, she was ultimately accepted into The Actors Studio after relocating to New York City.
Ann’s Theatre Profession
In 1958, Ann Wedgeworth debuted on Broadway in the play “Make a Million.” She subsequently starred in a number of Broadway and off-Broadway musicals, such as “Blues for Mister Charlie,” “Period of Adjustment,” “Thieves,” and “The Last Analysis.”
She then starred alongside Geraldine Page and Harvey Keitel in Sam Shepard’s “A Lie of the Mind” at the Promenade Theatre in New York. From December 5, 1985, until June 1, 1986, this lasted. In reality, Page had married Ann’s ex-husband, Rip Torn.
Ann’s Movie Career
1965’s “Andy” was Ann Wedgeworth’s cinematic debut. She portrayed the female role opposite Gene Hackman in the 1973 picture “Scarecrow.”
In the films Law and Disorder, Bang the Drum Slowly, Thieves, and One Summer Love, she performed supporting roles. In 1976, she acted alongside her ex-husband Rip Torn in the film Birch Interval. This occurred fifteen years after his divorce, by which time he was already married to Geraldine Page.
She played supporting roles in films such as “No Small Affair” and “Made in Heaven” during the 1980s. In 1989, she portrayed Aunt Fern in “Steel Magnolias.”
She starred as Sissy Spacek’s mother in the 1991 film “Hard Promises.” Ann also co-starred with Renée Zellweger in two films: ‘The Whole Wide World’ and ‘Love and a.45’
Ann also appeared in “The Hawk Is Dying” alongside Paul Giamatti. This independent film was included at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006.
Her Television Profession
Ann Wedgeworth has also appeared in numerous television shows and soap operas during the course of her career. She portrayed ‘Angie’ Talbot on the television program ‘The Edge of Night’ She portrayed Lahoma Vale Lucas on ‘Another World after leaving the series, which ran from 1966 to 1967.
This program ran from 1967 till 1970. From 1970 to 1973, she also participated in the spinoff series Somerset.
In 1979, she was cast as Lana Shields on the iconic television series Three’s Company. She was added to the show to replace Audra Lindley.
The addition of Lana to the ensemble caused tension between John Ritter and the show’s writers. Ritter believed that his portrayal of the womanizing Jack Tripper would suffer since it would be difficult to explain why he would reject Lana, an attractive older woman. The authors suggested that he would not be attracted to her because she was older, but Ritter disagreed.
Ann requested either that her character be rewritten in its original form or that she be released due to the lack of screen time. She appeared in nine episodes of this series before her role was abruptly eliminated.
In 1982, Ann co-starred alongside Linda Bloodworth-Thomason in the comedy series “Filthy Rich,” in which she portrayed the cheerful Bootsie Westchester. After only two seasons, this show was canceled in 1983.
In 1989, she appeared as Audrey Conner, Dan Conner’s mother, on the ABC sitcom Roseanne. Ann’s longest television role was as Marleen Eldridge on the CBS program ‘Evening Shade.’ This aired from 1990 till 1994.
In 1989, she starred in the unsuccessful Evening Shade spin-off titled “Harlan & Marleen.”
Ann’s Major Opera
Ann Wedgeworth performed a number of characters in numerous famous films and television shows, but she was most recognized for her roles as Lana Shields on ‘Three’s Company’ and Marleen Eldridge on ‘Evening Shade’ from 1990 to 1994. She was also noted for her performance alongside Paul Giamatti in “The Hawk Is Dying.”
Awards & Achievements
The National Society of Film Critics awarded Ann Wedgeworth the Best Supporting Actress award in 1977 for her performance in the film Handle with Care.
She earned the 1978 Tony Award for Best Actress (Featured Role in a Play) for her performance in Chapter Two.
In 1986, she won the Drama Desk Award for the play “A Lie of the Mind.”
Personal History and Legacy
In 1955, Ann Wedgeworth married actor Rip Torn. She gave birth to an actress daughter, Danae Torn. In 1961, the couple divorced.
She married Ernie Martin, an acting instructor, and director, in 1970. She gave birth to Dianna Martin, an acting instructor, actress, and writer.
Ann Wedgeworth passed away in New York City on November 16, 2017. She was 83 years old.
Estimated Net Worth
Ann Wedgeworth has an estimated net worth of $8 million dollars earned primarily as a stage actor, film actor, television actor, and actor. We lack sufficient evidence regarding Ann Wedgeworth’s automobiles and lifestyle.